Apparatus for testing conduit

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for passing fluid into a conduit for pressure testing said conduit. In one embodiment, a portion of a mandrel is maintained in sealable engagement within the conduit by a clamp that has pivotal portions for attachment and release of the clamp and, in another embodiment, a seal between the mandrel and the conduit is provided by compressing a resilient member of the mandrel.

United States Patent 1191 Windle [111 3,709,260 1 51 Jan. 9, 1973 [54]APPARATUS FOR TESTING CONDUIT [75] Inventor: Tom J. Windle,B'artlesville, Okla.

[73] Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Co.

[22] Filed: April 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.2 133,166

[52] US. Cl. ..l38/90, 285/114, 285/320,

285/338 [51] Int. Cl. ..Fl6l 55/10, F161 47/00 [58] Field of Search..285/338, 196, 346, 8, 373, 285/114; 138/90 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES. PATENTS 2,621,679 12/1952 Tuttle .132/90 3,421,782 1/1969Kalish et al. ..285/338 X I 3,326,243 6/1969 Augustus ..l38/90 2,886,0675/1959 Maxwell et al. ....l38/90 1,822,444 9/1931 MacClatchie .285/338 X2,855,003 10/1958 Thaxton 138/90 Primary Examiner-Thomas F. CallaghanAtt0rneyYoung & Quigg 57 ABSTRACT An apparatus for passing fluid into aconduit for pressure testing said conduit. in one embodiment, a portionof a mandrel is maintained in sealable engagement within the conduit bya clamp that has pivotal portions for attachment and release of theclamp and, in another embodiment, a seal between the mandrel and theconduit is provided by compressing a resilient member of the mandrel.

3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 9 ma SHEET 1 0F 2 INVENTOR.

T.J.WINDLE q w w 4 A T TORNEVS PATENTEDJAH 9 ms 3.709.260

SHEET 2 OF 2 LII U F/GS INVENTOR.

T. J. W! NDLE F/G.3 BY W AT TORNEYS 1 APPARATUS FOR TESTING CQNDUIT Itis desired to provide apparatus utilized for pressurizing conduit forpressure testing said conduit. One

example would be in the manufacture of plastic conduit for qualitychecking the burst pressure of selected lengths of the conduit. In sucha situation, it is often necessary to pressure check hundreds of theconduits per day. It then becomes advantageous to provide apparatus thatis easily installed and removed and will effectively seal an end of theconduit and provide for the passage of fluid into said conduit.

This invention therefore resides in an apparatus for passing fluid intoa conduit for pressure testing said conduit. In one embodiment, aportion of a mandrel is maintained in sealable engagement within theconduit by a clamp that is pivotally movable for attachment to andrelease from the conduit and, in another embodiment, a seal between themandrel and the conduit is formed by compressing a resilient member ofthe mandrel.

Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a study of the disclosure, the appended claims, andthe drawing.

The drawings are diagrammatic views of the apparatus of this invention.FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of one embodiment of the apparatus;FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is aview of a plurality of annular resilient members mounted on the mandrel;FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of another embodiment of theapparatus; and FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG.4.

Referring to FIG. 1, a mandrel 2 of the apparatus of this invention hasa first end 4, first and second end portions 6, 8, a chamber extendingtherethrough, and an annular flange'l2 spaced adistance along themandrel 2 from the first end 4 thereof. The flange 12 of the mandrel 2is of at least greater diameter than the inside diameter of a conduit 14that is to be tested by the apparatus of this invention.

The first end portion 6 of the mandrel 2 extends from the flange 12 ofthe mandrel 2 to the first end 4 of said mandrel 2. The first endportion 6 of the mandrel 2 is of smaller diameter than the insidediameter of the conduit 14 for insertion of said first end portion intothe conduit 14 during pressure testing operations. The first end portion6 of the mandrel 2 also has at least one resilient annular member 16installed therein and thereabout that-is substantially equal to orlarger than the inside diameter of the conduit 14. That annular member16 must now, however, be, so large that the mandrel 2 cannot be insertedinto the conduit 14 or is inserted with difficulty. An example of such aresilient annular member is commonly called an O-ring. Where O-rings areutilized, the, dimensions and resiliency necessary for proper sealingcan be easily calculated and selected by one skilled in the art. In theinserted position of the mandrel 2 within the conduit 14, the flange 12of the mandrel 2 is abutting end 18 of the conduit 14 and the annularmember 16 is sealing the annulus 19 formed between the conduit -l4 andthe mandrel 2 as shown in FIG. 2.

A removable clamp 20 is provided for maintaining the first end portion 6of the mandrel 2 within the conduit 14 during passage of fluid throughthe mandrel 2 and into the conduit 14 for pressure testing said conduit.During pressure testing, the other endof the conduit 14 is sealed by anymeans known in the art. Where extremely long lengths of conduit and/orextremely large diameter conduits are being testedfboth ends of theconduit can be provided with the apparatus of this invention to increasethe speed of filling and pressure testing said conduit.

The preferred removable clamp 20, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has opposedfirst and second portions 22, 24 pivotally connected one to the otherwith each portion 22 and 24 having an inner surface 26. Theinner'surface 26 of each portion 22, 24 of the clamp 20 has first andsecond end portions 28, 30 and a middle portion 32.

The first end portion 28 of the inner surface 26 of and has a length (L)at least greater than the distance from the resilient annular member 16to the flange 12 of the mandrel 2. The middle portion 32 of each clamp20 portion 22, 24 has a length at least equal to the width of the flange12 of the mandrel 2. The second end portion 28 of each clamp portion 22,24 has an inwardly extending flange 34 of dimensions sufficient forengaging the upstream side'of the flange 12 of the mandrel 2 in theinstalled position.

clamp portion 22, 24 be serrated or have protrusions 33 formed thereon.These protrusions 33 are particularly useful for preventing relativemovement where high testing pressures are to be utilized.

The first and second clamp portions 22, 24 are pivotally -movablebetween the first position (not shown) at which the inner surface 26 ofeach clamp portion 22, 24 is spaced from the conduit 14 and the mandrel2 for inserting into and removing the mandrel 2 from the conduit, and asecond position at which the inner surface first end portion 28 of theclamp portions 22, 24 are in contact with the conduit 14 and forcefullyurging and deforming said conduit 14 against the annular member 16 ofthe mandrel 2 and being in v contact with the flange 12 of the mandrel2.

1 Referring to FIG. 2, first and second members 36, 38 are each fixedlyattached at an end to a separate one of the clamp portions 22, 24. Themembers extend laterally from said members 26, 28 and are pivotallyconnected one to the other for pivotally connecting the the clampportions 22, 24 at their second position.

Other locking means known in the art can be so utilized,'such as, forexample, the members-36 and 38 of the handle portion of the toolcommonly referred to as I vise grip pliers.

It is preferred in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, that the flange34 of each of the second end portions 28, 30 in the installed positionare each in contact with the flange 1-2 and spaced from the second endportion 8 .of the mandrel for better gripping and maintaining themandrel 2 properly positioned during pressure testing operations. It isalso preferred that the inner surface first end portion 28 of each clampportion 22, 24 at the each clamp portion 22, 24 is of arcuateconfiguration.

r 3 second position of the clamp 20 be in contact with the outer surfaceof the conduit '14 through an arc of at least 120 about said conduit 14.

Referring to FIG. 3', where high testing pressures are utilized, aplurality of resilient annular members 16, 16' spaced one from the othercan be provided on the first end portion 6 of the mandrel 2 formoreeffectively seating the annulus 19.

The flange 12 of the mandrel 2 of FIGS. 1 and 2 can be of greaterdiameter than the outside diameter of the conduit 14, but for ease inconstruction, it is preferred that said flange 12 be substantially equalto said conduit diameter. The arcuate configuration of the inner surfacefirst end portion 28 of each clamp portion 22, 24 is also preferablymatable with the configuration of the conduit.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of an annular member that has been foundparticularly useful for testing conduits 14 having an inside diameter ofabout 2 inches or larger.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of an annular member and manual assemblythat has been found particularly useful for testing conduits having aninside diameter of about 2 inches or larger. In this embodiment, themandrel 2 has first and second end portions 6, 8, a middle portion 42and a chamber extending therethrough. A compressible annular member 16is slidably mounted on the middle portion 42 of the mandrel 2. Thatannular member 16 has a diameter substantially equal to the insidediameter of the conduit and has an opening extending therethrough, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 1. At least the first andpreferably the first and second ends 44, 46 of theannular member 16 areof concave configuration preferably extending outwardly from the mandrelat an angle in the range of about 3060 relative to an axis of themandrel. At angles less than 30 portions of the end of the mandrelmember 16 are excessively thin and more easilydamaged during use thereofand at angles greater than about 60 the annular member sometimes doesnot form an effective seal in the annulus between the annular member 16and the mandrel 2.

A clamping means is provided for maintaining a portion of the mandrel 2and the associated annular member 16 within the conduit 14 andpreventing enlargement of the conduit 14 adjacent the annular member 16.The clamping means is releasable for removal of the mandrel 2 from theconduit 14. That clamping means can be similar to the structure shownand described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 or can be of differentconstruction.

Referringto FIG. 5, a clamp 56 has first and second I portions 58, 60that encompassthe conduit 14 as described with reference to clamp 20.With conduit releasably connectable for providing a more rigid assembly.Where. high pressures are utilized during the testing operations, it isalso preferred that the portion of the inner surface 26 of the clamp 56in contact with the conduit 14 have protrusions formed thereon forincreasing the gripping force of the clamp 56.

. A compressing means 66 such as, for example, a

threaded structure matable with threads formed on the A stop ring 48 isfixedly attached about the man drel 2 at the first end portion 6thereof. The stop ring 48 has adiameter substantially equal to thediameter of the compressibleannular member 16 and a first end portionthat is matable with the first end 44 of the annular member 16 forsealing the annulus between the mandrel 2 and the annular member 16. v Aslidable ring 52 is slidably mounted about the mandrel 2 at the secondend portion 6 thereof. The slidable ring 52 has a first end portion 54that is matable with the second end 46 of the compressible annularmember 16 and is of a diametersubstantially equal to the diameter ofsaid annular member 16. Although the first end portion 54 of theslidable ring and the second end 46 of the annular member 16 can be ofvarious matable configurations, it is preferred that they areconstructed similar to the first end portion 50 of the stop ring andassociated first end 44 of the annular member. 16 in order toassure'against the leakage of fluid between the mandrel '2 and theannular member 16. In order to assure effective sealing of the annulus19, it is preferred that the length of the compressible annular member16 be at least as large as the inside diameter of the conduit l4'andthat said annular member be formed of rubber.

second end portion 8 of the mandrel 2 is provided for moving theslidable ring 52 and the second end 46 of the compressible annularmember 16 toward the stop ring 48 for compressing said annular memberl6'and sealing the annulus 19 formed between the conduit '14 andtheannular member 16 and the annulus formed between the annular member19 and the mandrel 2.

In the operation of the apparatus of this invention,

one end of the conduit 14 is sealed to prevent fluid escape therefromand the first end portion of the mandrel 2 is inserted within the otherend of the conduit 14 with the flange 12 of the mandrel 2 abutting theend of the conduit 14. A clamp 20or 56 is then installed over the end ofthe conduit adjacent the first end portion 6 of the mandrel with theflange 34 of the clamp 20 or 56 positioned upstream from the flange 12of the mandrel 2. Fluid from a pressure source (not shown) is thendelivered through the mandrel and'into the conduit 14 for pressuretestingsaid conduit 14. In the embodiment shown in'FlG. 1, the pressureof the clamp 20 about the conduit 14 deforms the conduit into sealingengagement with the annular resilient member 16 for effecand thecompressing means 66 is actuated manually,

for example, to urge the slidable ring 52 and the second end 46 of thecompressible annular member16 toward the stop ring 48.As the annularmember 16 is compressed by this relativemovement, said member 16 deformsand effectively seals the annulus between the mandrel 2 and the conduit14. After testing, the slidable ring 52 is moved in the oppositedirection for removal of the mandrel from'the conduit. I

In the sealed condition of the conduit with the apparatus of thisinvention, conduit can be effectively pressure tested. Owing to theconstruction ofthe apparatus, the set up and take downtimeof'the-testing equipment is significantly reduced relative toheretofore utilized pressure testing apparatus.

An apparatus for passing fluid into a plastic conduit for pressuretesting said conduit, comprising:

mandrel having first and second end portions, a middle portion, and achamber extending therethroug'h;

compressible annular member having a diameter substantially equal to theinside diameter of the conduit, an opening extending therethrough, andfirst and second ends with said ends being of concave configuration andwith said annular member being slidably mounted on the middle portion ofthe mandrel;

a stop ring having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of thecompressible annular member, a first end portion matable with the firstend of the annular member, and being fixedly attached to the mandrel atthe first end portion thereof;

a slidable ring having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter ofthe compressible annular member, a first end portion matable with thesecond end of the annular member and being slidably mounted about themandrel at the second end portion thereof;

compressing means for moving the slidable ring and the second end of thecompressible annular member toward the stop ring for compressing saidannular member and sealing the annulus formed between the conduit andthe annular member; removable annular clamping element having opposedfirst and second segmental portions with each portion having an innersurface of common arcuate configuration with the arc of each having adiameter greater than about 2 inches, said first and second clampportions each having a length at least greater than the compressibleannular member and a flange fixedly attached on opposed sides withopenings formed through said flanges; and 1 means associated with theflange openings for urging preventing enlargement of said plasticconduit outer surface during pressure testing thereof. An apparatus, asset forth in claim 1, wherein each concave portion of the compressibleannular member extends outwardly from the mandrel at an, angle in therange of about 30-60 relative thereto.

An apparatus for passing fluid into a plastic conduit having an insidediameter greater than about 2 inches for pressure testing said conduit,comprising:

a mandrel of generally cylindrical configuration having first and secondend portions, a middle portion, and a chamber extending therethroughwith said second end portion having threads formed thereon; acompressible annular member having 'an outer diameter substantiallyequal to the inside diameter of the plastic condui upon which utilized,a hole extending therethrough, said hole being of a diameter larger thanthe outer diameter of the mandrei, and first and second ends each ofconcave configuration with each concave portion extending outwardly fromthe mandrel at an angle in the range of about 3060 relative to themandrel and. said compressible annular member being slidably mounted onsaid mandrel;

a stop ring having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of thecompressible annular member in an uncompressed condition thereof, afirst end portion matable with the first end of the compressible annularmember and being fixedly attached to the mandrel at the first endportion thereof;

a slidable ring having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter ofthe compressible annular member in an uncompressed condition thereof, afirst end portion matable with the second end of the compressibleannular member and being slidably mounted about the mandrel at thesecond end portion thereof; compressing means matable with the threadsof the mandrel for moving the slidable ring and the second end of thecompressible annular member in a direction toward the stop ring forcompressing said annular member between said stop ring and said slidablering for sealing an annulus formed between the plastic conduit and thecompressible flanges fixedly attached on opposedv sides of each clampingportion with said flanges having openings formed therethrough with theflange openings of the first clamping portion being generally coaxialwith flange openings of the second clamping portion in theinstalledposition on the plastic conduit; and means associated with the flangeopenings for urging the flanges of the clamping portions toward oneanother and the arcuateisurface of. the clamping portions into forciblecontact with the outer surface of the plastic conduit for preventingenlargement of said plastic conduit outer surface during pressuretesting thereof.

1. An apparatus for passing fluid into a plastic conduit for pressuretesting said conduit, comprising: a mandrel having first and second endportions, a middle portion, and a chamber extending therethrough; acompressible annular member having a diameter substantially equal to theinside diameter of the conduit, an opening extending therethrough, andfirst and second ends with said ends being of concave configuration andwith said annular member being slidably mounted on the middle portion ofthe mandrel; a stop ring having a diameter substantially equal to thediameter of the compressible annular member, a first end portion matablewith the first end of the annular member, and being fixedly attached tothe mandrel at the first end portion thereof; a slidable ring having adiameter substantially equal to the diameter of the compressible annularmember, a first end portion matable with the second end of the annularmember and being slidably mounted about the mandrel at the second endportion thereof; compressing means for moving the slidable ring and thesecond end of the compressible annular member toward the stop ring foRcompressing said annular member and sealing the annulus formed betweenthe conduit and the annular member; a removable annular clamping elementhaving opposed first and second segmental portions with each portionhaving an inner surface of common arcuate configuration with the arc ofeach having a diameter greater than about 2 inches, said first andsecond clamp portions each having a length at least greater than thecompressible annular member and a flange fixedly attached on opposedsides with openings formed through said flanges; and means associatedwith the flange openings for urging the flanges on common sides of theclamping element toward one another and the inner surface of theclamping element into forcible contact with the outer surface of theplastic conduit for preventing enlargement of said plastic conduit outersurface during pressure testing thereof.
 2. An apparatus, as set forthin claim 1, wherein each concave portion of the compressible annularmember extends outwardly from the mandrel at an angle in the range ofabout 30*-60* relative thereto.
 3. An apparatus for passing fluid into aplastic conduit having an inside diameter greater than about 2 inchesfor pressure testing said conduit, comprising: a mandrel of generallycylindrical configuration having first and second end portions, a middleportion, and a chamber extending therethrough with said second endportion having threads formed thereon; a compressible annular memberhaving an outer diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter ofthe plastic conduit upon which utilized, a hole extending therethrough,said hole being of a diameter larger than the outer diameter of themandrel, and first and second ends each of concave configuration witheach concave portion extending outwardly from the mandrel at an angle inthe range of about 30*-60* relative to the mandrel and said compressibleannular member being slidably mounted on said mandrel; a stop ringhaving a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of thecompressible annular member in an uncompressed condition thereof, afirst end portion matable with the first end of the compressible annularmember and being fixedly attached to the mandrel at the first endportion thereof; a slidable ring having a diameter substantially equalto the diameter of the compressible annular member in an uncompressedcondition thereof, a first end portion matable with the second end ofthe compressible annular member and being slidably mounted about themandrel at the second end portion thereof; compressing means matablewith the threads of the mandrel for moving the slidable ring and thesecond end of the compressible annular member in a direction toward thestop ring for compressing said annular member between said stop ring andsaid slidable ring for sealing an annulus formed between the plasticconduit and the compressible annular member during pressure testing ofthe plastic conduit and in a direction from the stop ring for removingcompression forces from the compressible annular member for moving themandrel relative to the plastic conduit; a removable clamping elementhaving opposed first and second segmental portions with each portionhaving an inner surface of common arcuate generally semicircularconfiguration with the arc of each having a diameter greater than about2 inches, said first and second clamp portions each having a length atleast greater than the length of the compressible annular member andseparate flanges fixedly attached on opposed sides of each clampingportion with said flanges having openings formed therethrough with theflange openings of the first clamping portion being generally coaxialwith flange openings of the second clamping portion in the installedposition on the plastic conduit; and means associated with the flangeopenings for urging the flanges of the clamping portions toward oneanother and the arcuate surface of The clamping portions into forciblecontact with the outer surface of the plastic conduit for preventingenlargement of said plastic conduit outer surface during pressuretesting thereof.